WASHINGTON D.C. — Anne Hazlett, known as a champion for farm communities, is stepping into a larger ring as part of USDA’s new plan on tackling the challenges facing rural America.

 

On June 12, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue named the Indiana native to lead the rural development agencies at USDA. Hazlett was previously Chief Counsel to the Majority on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

As the new Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, Hazlett will oversee the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Business Service and the Rural Housing Service within USDA and report directly to the secretary, according to USDA.

The move is part of a realignment USDA announced in May and represents an elevation of Rural Development to a more prominent role. “With this addition to USDA Rural Development, rural America will have a seat at the main table and have walk-in privileges with the secretary on day one,” Perdue said.

Her years of experience on matters involving agricultural and rural development were among the factors cited for her selection.

“Anne Hazlett comes with a depth of knowledge and experience perfectly suited to her role in helping to restore prosperity to rural America. We are excited to have her on board,” said Perdue.

Calling small towns and the people who live there her “‘life’s passion,” Hazlett has worked with both the House and Senate on agriculture and rural issues for more than 15 years and most recently was an advisor on matters ranging from farm bill programs and child nutrition to broadband access.

She is a former director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). Hazlett was an advisor to Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels on agriculture and rural issues and was Chief of Staff to Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman where she assisted in the creation of the state’s first Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

OCRA provides financial and technical aid to rural communities and supervises management of the state’s housing finance, energy and tourism agencies.

Hazlett graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications. She also has a law degree from Indiana University and a master’s degree in ag law from the University of Arkansas.

She advised clients on agriculture and environmental regulatory matters in her legal practice. “It is with great enthusiasm and a deep commitment to rural America that I am eager to get to work at USDA and be a partner in crafting solutions to the significant challenges these communities face from economic opportunity to infrastructure, quality housing, and addiction,” she said 

 

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, gave the decision to bring in Hazlett high marks. “Her background in rural issues in Indiana and her background in agricultural policy make her an ideal candidate to lead USDA’s effort to grow our rural economies,” he said.

According to USDA, the move is in recognition of rural communities lagging behind other parts of the country in prosperity.

Nearly 85 percent of America’s persistently impoverished counties are in rural areas and rural childhood poverty rates affecting one out of every four children are at their highest since 1986, according to USDA.

USDA officials said the change removes a layer of bureaucracy allowing Hazlett to receive decisions directly from Perdue without ideas or suggestions first having to pass through channels in the office.